BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – The troops of 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion observed the Father’s Day celebration together with the former rebels (FRs) on Sunday, June 21, 2020 inside its headquarters at Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
The celebration of Father’s Day last Sunday was on time as the brave men of 23rd IB have not seen their families for several months due to the continuing threat of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The former rebels, on the other hand, also longed to be with their families to recompense the months and years spent with Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) for while inside the CNT movement, they were not allowed to visit their families nor given time to have bonding with their children.
“The CNTs are known for destroying families, of separating husbands from their wives and the children from their parents,” Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo said.
Paulo also expressed happiness seeing the 23rd IB soldiers enjoying themselves in the company of the former rebels during the commemoration of Father’s Day.
Among the former rebels who openly expressed appreciation during the celebration was alias “Jonel”, a former member of Guerrilla Front (GF) 4A of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) of the NPA.
“Sulod sa kalihukan wala gihatagan og prioridad ug higayon ang pagpakighimamat sa among pamilya. Gi-ingnan kami sa among mga lider nga unahon gyud ang pagpakig-gubat sa gobyerno. Sobra duha ka tuig nga wala nako nakauban ang akong asawa ug mga anak (Inside the movement, bonding with our family members is not a priority. We were told not to mind our family members and focus on fighting the government. For more than two years, I have not seen my wife and children),” Jonel said.
During the celebration last Sunday, Jonel was with his daughter Jasmin.
“Nalipay ko kay gihatagan kog higayon sa gobyerno, pinaagi sa 23rd IB nga makauli ko ug makauban balik ang akong pamilya (I am so happy that the government, through the 23rd IB, has given me a chance to go home and be with my family),” Jonel said.
In his message during the gathering, Paulo emphasized that Father’s Day celebration is giving proper credits and honor to all the sacrifices of our fathers.
“They strive hard to stand as a strong foundation in our families. It is indeed a great opportunity to express our love to our fathers and a good time to continue building our families to become much stronger,” Paulo said.
“We, your 23IB soldiers, are here to always care and value the importance of family because we believe that family is the most important part of our society. Unlike the CNTs who destroy every good relationship of every family member for their personal interest, we will do our best to help you reunite with your loved ones,” Paulo said.
He also emphasized the Filipino value of “close family ties” saying that Filipinos believe that families should always be together to help and support each other.
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]
https://www.kalinawnews.com/former-rebels-join-army-troopers-in-fathers-day-celebration/
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